My own cross to bear.
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Zion, Illinois
Posts: 3,411
My own cross to bear.
There's a story about a fella who thought his problems were weighing him down so that he just couldn't handle it any more. He prayed one day for relief. A figure appeared before him and said, "Come with me." The fella followed the figure into a room. The figure spoke saying, "So, you think your cross is too much to bear?" "Yes" replied the fella. Then the fella looked around and saw that the room was filled, side to side; top to bottom with crosses. The figure instructed the fella to put his cross down and search for a new cross. The crosses were tall, short, fat, skinny, heavy, light, wooden, metal. The crosses were of different shapes; some pointed, some squared. The fella tried every one of the crosses until he came upon one that felt just right. He said to the figure, "Here's the one I want. None of the others would fit me!" The figure said, "Then go and be grateful. That's the cross you came with!"
Sometimes, I forget to be grateful and it takes an experience like today to remind me not to take every day things for granted.
As some of you may know, I've been active in weightlifting for some time. I've been fortunate, in that now that I'm "kind of" retired, to be able to work part time at a gym. A guy that I sponsor is 47 years old. 14 years ago his wife and son were killed by a drunk driver. A woman he was engaged to was killed two years later the same way. In 1988 he suffered a heart attack, was in a car accident and broke his back. In 1991 he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent radiation treatment. The cancer came back in 1996 and again about 3 months ago. Since then, he's been through 4 treatments which have left him unable to eat, sleep, sit down, stand up, walk any distance, and just generally has him completely a mess. He's called me every day to let me know how things are going. What can I say to him? I tell him, "Say your prayers, keep trudging and don't take that first drink." There's nothing else I can say and I tell him that. He asks, "Is this crazy or what?" I say, "Yup, it's crazy but what the hell is normal considering what you're going through?" Last Wednesday he asked me to help him get started on some kind of an exercise program at the gym. So, for the past three days we've been meeting for about an hour to work out. He's amazed at how good his arms, back, stomache, and legs feel after he's finished. Last night he slept 8 hours for the first time in 3 months. He was so excited he told me he slept before he said good morning to me. This guy has been sober for 24 years and the most important subject he can talk about is being able to sleep 3 hours, 4 hours, taste food, feel his muscles again, walk on a treadmill for 20 minutes without hyperventilating.
I pray to God that the only cross I ever have to bear is my own.
Sometimes, I forget to be grateful and it takes an experience like today to remind me not to take every day things for granted.
As some of you may know, I've been active in weightlifting for some time. I've been fortunate, in that now that I'm "kind of" retired, to be able to work part time at a gym. A guy that I sponsor is 47 years old. 14 years ago his wife and son were killed by a drunk driver. A woman he was engaged to was killed two years later the same way. In 1988 he suffered a heart attack, was in a car accident and broke his back. In 1991 he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent radiation treatment. The cancer came back in 1996 and again about 3 months ago. Since then, he's been through 4 treatments which have left him unable to eat, sleep, sit down, stand up, walk any distance, and just generally has him completely a mess. He's called me every day to let me know how things are going. What can I say to him? I tell him, "Say your prayers, keep trudging and don't take that first drink." There's nothing else I can say and I tell him that. He asks, "Is this crazy or what?" I say, "Yup, it's crazy but what the hell is normal considering what you're going through?" Last Wednesday he asked me to help him get started on some kind of an exercise program at the gym. So, for the past three days we've been meeting for about an hour to work out. He's amazed at how good his arms, back, stomache, and legs feel after he's finished. Last night he slept 8 hours for the first time in 3 months. He was so excited he told me he slept before he said good morning to me. This guy has been sober for 24 years and the most important subject he can talk about is being able to sleep 3 hours, 4 hours, taste food, feel his muscles again, walk on a treadmill for 20 minutes without hyperventilating.
I pray to God that the only cross I ever have to bear is my own.
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Melbourne victoria
Posts: 1,975
OH! MUSIC! what an inspiration he is !
You must be very honoured that God has seen fit to use you to help him!
I work in Palliative care , and I have seen some very brave people there too, but he sounds amazing!
You are doing a powerful job!
HUGX
Lee
You must be very honoured that God has seen fit to use you to help him!
I work in Palliative care , and I have seen some very brave people there too, but he sounds amazing!
You are doing a powerful job!
HUGX
Lee
Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 187
Music, that is an awesome story ... thank you for sharing it with us. I really don't know what else to say ... certainly diminishes "my problems" ... it is also a statement for the power of positive thinking ... and more importantly, the Power of Prayer!
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Tonight at our Christmas party the speaker shared that while under the influence he ran into a cement truck... instantly killing his 13 year old son. And still he did not seek recovery for 10 years.
Yes Music...I will carry my own cross.
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Yes Music...I will carry my own cross.
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Grateful recovering alcoholic
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Blissfield, MI
Posts: 814
Music,
I know you posted this a year ago. I needed to read it though. Trying to get that survival instinct back. God bless him. I don't know if I could be that brave and courageous. How inspiring. There is hope. My life certainly isn't as bad as his.
Thanks again and God bless,
Jen
I know you posted this a year ago. I needed to read it though. Trying to get that survival instinct back. God bless him. I don't know if I could be that brave and courageous. How inspiring. There is hope. My life certainly isn't as bad as his.
Thanks again and God bless,
Jen
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